Catholic English is a service for people who want to learn English – especially if you want the help of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, together with the rest of the saints!
Anyone is welcome to use this service.
You don’t have to be Catholic or even Christian.
The basic material used by Catholic English is writing by and about the saints and the text of the Bible, as well as a few more modern authors.
We don’t tell you what you should think or believe, we simply share the goodness from the Tradition which is free and useful for everyone.
We believe that all true knowledge can be found in scripture and the tradition. Everything that today’s experts say, in psychology, business studies, and the self-help or self-improvement industry, has been already been said with more truth and value by the saints.
About me
To speak of ourselves without cause, saying “I have said,” “I have done,” incapacitates1 us for receiving spiritual consolations2.
– St Philip Neri
It’s common these days to write glowing reviews of ourselves on websites, Facebook, etc. as if we’re products that we’re trying to sell. As if we’re in competition with our neighbours. As if we’re scared of dying without making some kind of a name for ourselves in ‘the world.’
But this world, the world we’re trying to impress, is going to end, we’re going to be forgotten by the world, and as Jesus taught us: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth” (Matthew 6:19) including, reputation, respect, pride, etc.
So, I’m just an ordinary person, like you. I have my weaknesses and my failings like anyone else. I promise to do my best to provide useful resources and help for learning English. I will use materials from the Tradition, but I am not a saint, nor a priest nor a theologian.
Disclaimer
I cannot give advice on any part of life, worldly or spiritual, beyond the focus of this service – learning English.
If you think that any material on this website seems like helpful advice – think twice! Don’t act on it too quickly. Check with someone you know and trust.
I am not providing theological commentaries. I know no more about the mysteries of faith than you, and certainly far less than some of you. If I say something that seems strange or unlikely or wrong, please forgive me. I’m not trying to say anything new, but as St Francis de Sales said “I neither desire nor ought to write … anything but what has been already said by others before me.”3 If it’s important, please check the sources for yourself. Since this is a website for learning English I don’t really want to get into theological debates, but I will be happy to make corrections of any significant errors.
Footnotes
- ‘Incapacitates us’: if we have the capacity to do something, it means we can do it, we have what it takes to do it. If we are incapacitated, our capacities or our abilities are taken away. ↩︎
- ‘consolations’ are blessings from God that make us feel good and let us know we’re on the right track. For more information on consolations, check out episode 2 of my podcast, on St Ignatius of Loyola. ↩︎
- de Sales, St Francis (1609) Introduction to the Devout Life (also published sometimes under the title Philothea), Preface ↩︎
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